Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1887-03-24
Margaret staked two or three francs

Win Ibftll1b uh9t'-
The English ollicer-Captain Mosyn /
who hal witnessed her husband 5 |
death nos stood ntendy regarding her
He moved restlessly, as if impelled
against his will to interfere.
Unknown to herself and ali around. |
fever had taken hold Of the weakened |
frame and lent a fictitious strength and !
fictitious courage 10 the despziring cirl. !
and with daring recklessne-s snc
staked and won, until sma1 pile OF
gold lay before her daZzied eyes. Then
the tension OF her nerves gave way, aud
with a low cry she fell forward in u dead
faint
Springiug to her side without a mo-
ment's delay, Captain Mostyn. who had
been anXiousiy Watching all that oc-
Cured, lifted the poor girl in his arms,
and carried her out of the sitting atmo-
sphere Of the saloon, followed by
Young medical student TO whom he had
been talking.
Finding their efforts TO restore her 10
consciousness unayalling, Mostyn said
hurriedly to his companion:
Bring her down to my carriage
is waiting. Ny sister will do what we
cannot" Then, once outside, he called
to the coachman TO the Hotel Dieu;
and drive quickly"
The impatient horse, which had been
chatting rcsilessIr for more than an
hour, dashed forward, and ia few mo-
ments the carriage was lost sight of in
the deepening gloom
Again -ir. was leaning from an
open easement. She wore u gown of a
soft, gray material that fell in cinging
folds round her slight form. and her
hai., cut quite short covered her small
head in silken curls. The scene upon
which she was gazing was peaceful
enough. It was the rose-garden of an
old English manor-houss and a child
WAS playing amongst the flowers,
Hither, more than two years before.
Margaret Vaughan had been brought
after her lingering recovery from the
terrible attack OF brain-fever following
her first and last visit to the gaming
saloon at Foudrlere, and here she had
remained ever since as the friend and
companion of the widowed sister to
whom Captain Mosyn had coniidcd
her A deep and strong attachment
had sprung mp between Lady Chef
wynd and herself, and ut last Mar
garet had found peace after the storm,
and rest after the struggles Of the past.
At first Captain Mosiyn had been fire.
quenly at the manOr-house; but then,
quite suddenly, and without assigning
any reason for his decision. he eX-
changed into n regiment ordered on
uutiye service, and mad continued with ii
during the whole campaign,
On this day he was returning to his
sisters house covered with glory.
And the child played on, and the girl
still leaned from the easement, waiting.
Little did she guess that the soldier who
was returning bono had left that home
because no had learnt TO love her loo
well but in those months of danger and
separation she felt dimiy, and with
pang Of self-reproach and shame, tnat a
feeling had crept INTO her own heart
which made her shrink and tremble at
the coming meeting feeling She dared
not attempt to aualyze.
Now her heart was boating wildly as
she tried yainly to assume u caImucss
she could not feel, soft rOsc-unt deep
eucd on her checks, and the loye-lght
stole into her tender eyes
/ just then some one entered the rose
/ garden, and the child. his little hands
! full Of flowers looked round wonder
| iugly. and then ran boldly mp TO the
intruder.
Are YOU my own papa come back
from over the sea?. he asked; and tine
words reached Margaret, but she could
not sec 70 whom they Wero addressed.
The answer. however filed her soul
with dismay. for the intruder, catching
tho child in his arms, was evidently
approaching, and u mans voice said
mendaclously:
Yes, my darling, | am your own
papu come back from over the sea-. ~
and with a few whispered words they
passed along tho lawn, close 10 The Win
dow whore Margaret was.
She dropped upon her knees. with
her face hidden in her hands, and they
could soc nothing bat the wde-open
easement with the leafy screen OF ivy
| and clcmatis She knew they were COM
ing in. and yet She had hardly tho
power TO move. She could not stand.
when she had risen from her knees,
trembling in every limb
The child's footsteps halted a mOment
by tho door, and then passed away
quickly, but strong hand graspcd the
handle, and she heard rs in dream -
frank imperious voice utteriDg her
name
Margaret. l have pIeGg,, myself in
/ the rosy-rardeu to something pcrlOUS.Y